By Bob Burbach
Marysville, CA – The MRP Winged Sprint Car season came to a dramatic conclusion Saturday night at Paul and Kathy Hawes’ Marysville Raceway Park. Grass Valley’s Jeremy Burt won the battle and another rocket fast feature event but Grass Valley’s Billy Wallace won the war and was crowned champion for the 2nd straight year. Howard Law won the MRP Mini Stock closer as Misty Castleberry grabbed another trophy in Pro 4 competition. Jesse Skidmore won the entertaining MRP Hobby Stock feature that offered the biggest starting field in the class this year.
Champion Wallace aboard Mark Moore’s Bully Dog special timed in quickest and scooped up the extra $100 offered up in www.sprintcarfan.com time trials action sponsored by www.sprintcarfan.com. It was Wallace’s 7th fast time of the season to go along with his 6-wins, 9-2nds and 2-3rds in this year’s series.
At the drop of the green Burt, from his pole position, just ran away and hid. A furious dice was on for 2nd through 9th with no real advantage being established as it was anyone’s race from there on back. 5 time champ Korey Lovell and returning veteran racer Heath Hall along with 3 time champ Brent Dothage were in a knot at the front struggling for runner up honors when Shawn Wright hooked up hard in turn 2 and tipped his well prepared #99 over. Wright was in the hunt and was coming through the field when he flipped. Wright was quickest in pre race hot lap sessions. He popped out of the wreck unhurt.
The new green saw Burt on top with Wallace in an easy 6th as this race roared toward ½ way. Wallace needed to finish 8th or better to secure the title no matter what Burt did. For the 1st time this season it appeared that Wallace was point racing. 9 laps later as the leaders were in heavy lapped traffic, Lovell touched wheels with Chris Zaveson. Lovell’s car took off high into the air just past start/finish and stopped flipping up against the wall in turn 1. It was a vicious, grinding crash. Preliminary reports had Lovell “stunned but talking” and that generated wild cheers from the crowd. Lovell walked to the pits were further evaluation determined that there were additional injuries to be assessed. Race Director Craig Hall said after the races that Lovell had a concussion and a broken collarbone. It was “5 time’s” toughest crash in a career that spans nearly 2 decades of sprint car competition. The car was broken “everywhere” according to Race Director Hall.
The restart provided a clear racetrack for Burt and he flashed under the checkers 1st by a wide margin. Heath Hall grabbed a fine 2nd in another great ride as Brent Dothage charged into 3rd. Wallace took 4th and the title. Peter Paulson completed the top 5.
Burt’s late season charge nearly got it done, but, unofficially he wound up 8 points shy in the final tally. Burt climbed to the top of his wing, fists in the air, once again after his victory. “We did everything we could do tonight.” Then he read the car and thanked everyone involved in helping him in his bid for the title. Burt’s increased maturity behind the wheel has showed progress in volumes this season and is a threat wherever he goes.
Burt was also eligible for the Contingency Connection bonus which was worth up to $1500 in additional contingency awards over and above the 1st place cash award from the event purse.
The post race championship party and barbeque was hosted by championship car owner Mark Moore with t-shirt giveaways for kids. Other parties were offered throughout the pit area on this final night of the sprint car point racing season at MRP. The winged sprinters will return October 6th for the 20th annual Gold Fever Classic that will pay $2500 to win.
Put that one on your calendar!
In other open wheel action, the Pro 4 feature event was a runaway by Misty Castleberry as her resume continues to build. Johnny Burns was a distant 2nd, returning after a big flip last week. Castleberry swept the program with a victory in the Pro 4 heat race as well.
Howard Law returned to the MRP Mini Stock ranks for the 3rd time this season and he’s now 2 for 3. Law took advantage and roared into the lead after a back stretch scuffle between leader Misty Castleberry and young charger Kyle Davey had that duo spinning wildly into the infield. Both recovered and with no yellow flag and rejoined the race. Castleberry wound up 2nd after a race long charge back to the front as Shaun Merritt also took advantage of the backstretch thrill show and moved on into 3rd after starting scratch on the field.
Castleberry’s 2nd place finish will, unofficially put her at the top in points to secure another title when the results from Saturday’s race become official. All races are official at the close of business on Tuesday, when points are officially awarded.
In addition to the 1st place cash purse, Law also received the $100 Richmond Gear “Weekend Warrior” $100 prize package.
The Hobby Stock feature was a real crowd pleaser as a new 1st time winner took the checkers from the biggest field of the year in the entry level stock car class. Jesse Skidmore was in a real tussle with point leader Jeremy Hammons and the surprise of the division this year, Eddie Hammett. Hammett had something go wrong after he secured the lead from the very racy Skidmore. Hammett was hammered by another car in turn 4. Hammett’s night was finished. Richard “The Killer” Sinnott was a factor all night long. In his 2nd ride in about 20 years Sinnott challenged the leaders a time or two. Almost everybody had to blink a couple of times to make sure they were seeing this right. Sinnott finished a very competitive 5th, but got 3rd after post race inspections.
In the final laps, Skidmore started to pull away as point leader and champion-elect Jeremy Hammons also left the race. Brian Compton wrestled his way into a fine 2nd place finish in a late race charge. 3rd across the line was pole sitter Mike Dehoogh followed by veteran Jim Waller. Technical inspector John Cordell noted after the event that Dehoogh and Waller did not go to post race inspection and were disqualified.
Next week MRP will be dark. On September 15th the return of flat track motorcycle racing will be offered by the traveling Gene Romero West Coast Flat Track Series. 5 divisions including the K&N Pro Open bikes will be at MRP. Gates will open at 4:30 with Time trials in all 5 divisions slated for 5:15. The 1st race will go off at 7pm. It will be a great racing evening at Yuba-Sutter’s only professional sports venue.